Monday, May 31rst - Happy Memorial Day

We had so much going on today that I took the day off!! I slept in till 7 and it felt wonderful!

Week in Review - 74 Miles

It was a tough week. I did not make my 82 miles, but I did manage 74, including a day off. I'm having trouble managing my sleep time, just not getting enough time in bed, and it is showing. I am struggling through my runs, none of them feel good, and i have no power right now. I am completely off the meds now, from the sinus infection. I hope to see something better next week, i may not feel better till this summer, who knows. I will continue, I am getting sick and tired of seeing 82 miles on my schedule, but I can't move on till I get it.

Sunday, May 30th - 10:00 p.m.

The morning was messed up, so I had not gotten my run in. I went out late and did 10 miles through the park. I almost entertained the idea of doing 18 so i could hit my goal, but soon decided that would be stupid. I'm content with what i did!

Sunday, May 30th - 4:00 p.m.

Ash, G and I had playtime in the Hippo park and then a nice run through the park. Since G was still asleep, we decided to tackle the North Hills. It was a nice, enjoyable afternoon run! Came up to just short of 5 miles!

Saturday, May 29th - 4:00 a.m.

Today I set out for 22, but feel short and only could manage 20 plus a 1 mile cool down, then realized I was only supposed to run 20 anyway. It was hard though, and I sputtered through the last 5 miles. Just dead, so dead legs. I did it, though, and it's been my longest of this training schedule. I finished south of 7 minute pace, but not by much. I hope energy comes soon, but i feel I won't see it till summer!! Mileage is mileage right now, just thankful I can get a 20 miler in, and then be back in time for breakfast with the family!

Friday, May 28th - 4:00 a.m.

Hit 7 today, tired, groggy, but managed at least some miles. Tomorrow's run will be a challenge!

Thursday, May 27th - 4:30 a.m.

Did 6 this morning, struggling to get up, so tired, must get more sleep......

Wednesday, May 26th - 4:00 p.m.

On such a hot day, Ash and Gabriel and I went to the Hippo park to play in the water fountains, then took a 3 mile spin around the park. Gabriel LOVES the water fountains.

Wednesday, May 26th - 4:00 a.m.

I got out on the road this morning, but I felt off. i was very dizzy and lethargic feeling. I'm not sure what's going on, I may need to examine what I'm eating and make sure I am getting enough water and sleep. I only did 7 instead of 10 miles.

Tuesday, May 25th - 5:00 p.m.

Last night, we were up way too late. I slept in this morning and pushed off my run till the afternoon. It was warm, but I ran an easy 10 miles in the park and out on the Riverside. I was tired and stiff at first, but soon loosened up for a nice run.

Monday, May 24th - 4:00 a.m.

It's a new week, I'm back on track. I did an easy 7 miles this morning, still stuff from the race, but glad to be back running. And the light drizzle was not too bad either.

Week in Review - 20 Miles

I had no choice but to take this week off. The sinus infection is finally gone, so I am ready to get back on track with my running. My goal for the upcoming week is 82 miles. I am happy with my half marathon on Saturday, although I have to work on the mental game, I just did not have it upstairs. There's always another day. My next half is not till August, but I will be doing some shorter races this summer.

Sunday, May 23rd - Day of rest

So, Gabriel was up almost the entire night, he just could not get to sleep. Needless to say, I rounded out the rest week by taking off today.

Saturday, May 22nd - Brooklyn Half Marathon

This morning was the Brooklyn Half Marathon starting at 7 a.m. in Prospect Park. After 2 laps and 7 miles, we exit the park and head straight for Coney Island, with a beautiful finish on the Boardwalk. I had a tough race, mentally. I've been out with a sinus infection for almost 2 weeks, so I'm feeling a little off. I went out and set a pace of around 5:52 for the first 8 miles, which I was pleased with. My mind started to think about how tired I was and how far I had to go and how impossible it was to catch the guys in front of me and how close the guys behind me were getting. Mile 9 slipped to 6:02 and I mentally gave up. Mile 10 was 6:20 and Mile 11 was 6:17. In that stretch, I gave back 5 places and almost a full minute on the clock.

By now, it was looking grim, but I decided to try and hang with the 5th guy to pass me, and I battled with getting my head back in the game. I was able to run the 12th mile in 5:59. My competitor would not let me quit,and actually yelled at me to not drop off the pace. He pulled me along with him to a 5:43 Mile 13. I eventually finished in 1:18:05 and 24th place out of 7,014 finishers and 5th in my age group. That finishing time gave me an average of 5:57 per mile.

While my time is respectable, and actually my fastest by 6 minutes on this course, I was stung by how I gave up. If I am going to fade in a race, it's because I went out too hard, not because I counted myself out. I still can't wrap my head around it, but I know I need to figure it out. I can still celebrate my performance! And you know the name of my competitor who pulled me along: Gabriel!!


Mile Splits:


1 Mile - 5:42
2 Mile - 5:51
3 Mile - 5:53
4 Mile - 5:56
5 Mile - 5:58
6 Mile - 5:54
7 Mile - 5:58
8 Mile - 5:57
9 Mile - 6:02
10 Mile - 6:20
11 Mile - 6:17
12 Mile - 5:59
13 Mile - 5:43

Friday, May 21rst - Still fighting the Infection

I took another morning off. I'm starting to feel better, I just want to knock this thing out. Tomorrow I have the Brooklyn Half at 7:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 20th - 4:00 a.m.

I'm still stuffed up from the sinus infection, but i need to get out and at least get a little running in. I only did a slow 5 miles this morning. I don't feel so great, but at least I am doing something. Hope this thing clears soon.

Wednesday, May 19th - Sinus Infection!!

Taking another day off, letting this sinus infection clear up.

Tuesday, May 18th - Zzzzzzzzzz

Well, I went to the doctor yesterday. Fever and a sinus infection! I'm on meds now, and last night I got 9 hours of sleep! Precious sleep.....so, i am going to have to lay low this week till I get well. Plus, i have a race Saturday, I need to be feeling well for that.

Monday, May 17th - 4:00 a.m.

Gabriel had another tough night last night, we were up with him for most of the night. I ended up sleeping on the floor in his room with him. Considering I am still not feeling well with my cold, I did not run this morning.

Week In Review - 60 Miles

It was a tough week, and the allergies and Gabriel's restless nights definitely took their toll. I did my best to get my runs in, but didn't make the 82 planned. I will adjust my schedule to accommodate this setback, making next week's goal 82 miles. I also have the Brooklyn 1/2 marathon on Saturday. I'm looking forward to this race!!

Sunday, May 16th, 4:00 a.m.

Although 10 was on the schedule, I am feeling rough from my run yesterday. I wheezed and coughed and blew my nose the entire run. I think 19 yesterday did me in. I only managed 7 miles. I hope to get rid of this cold soon, it is becoming irritating!

Saturday, May 15th - 4:00 a.m.

This morning was my longest yet in the new training schedule. I again took to my loop around Manhattan, including an extra mile in Harlem, to make 19 miles. NYC still has yet to turn on all the water fountains, maybe they are trying to save money, but it really stinks. I was doing great till about mile 15, when i ran out of energy. My first 15 miles were around a 6:45 per mile pace, but I shuffled in at about 7 minutes a mile. None the less, good long run, next weekend I will race a half marathon in Brooklyn instead of my long run. Getting excited!!

Friday, May 14th - 4:00 a.m.

Only did 7 miles this morning, i'm feeling worn down, this cold is STILL dragging on, stupid allergies!! Tomorrow's 19 miler will be a challenge

Thursday, May 13th - 4:00 a.m.

Did the scheduled 10 miles this morning, got a little more sleep last night, but I still can't shake this cold. Due to the cold, I have put off the tempo run this week.

Wednesday, May 12th - No Morning Run

Gabriel had a rough night last night, having trouble sleeping, therefore he ended up in our bed, tossing and turning for hours. We finally got him to bed after 1:30 a.m. Just not enough sleep. Hope to squeeze in some running later tonight.

Tuesday, May 11th - 4:00 a.m.

Still stuffed up, but i managed to make itout and run 10 miles easy. These allergies are going to be the death of me!!

Monday, May 10th - 4:00 a.m.

I am completely congested from the race in the pollen filled park yesterday. I woke up so much choking on snot last night. I decided to go back to sleep this morning, I think it will do me better in the long run

Week in Review - 44 Miles

While I only managed 44 miles this week, it was a scheduled down week, one in which I needed to relax and rest anyway. I pleased with the 4-mile race Sunday, a new PR and an age group award, and i have not started any speed work at all. It a promising outlook for the future. This next week, i get back into mileage building with a scheduled 82 miles!

Sunday, May 9th - 8:00 a.m.

Race time! Ash and I ran the "R Baby" 4-mile charity run in Central Park this morning. Unfortunately, the conditions were less than ideal. Winds were gusting to 30 mph!! We went out and gave it a good shot anyway. I tried to go out and give an even effort.

Mile 1 = 5:30
Mile 2 = 5:30
Mile 3 = 5:51
Mile 4 = 5:30

Mile 3 is almost completely uphill. i was pleased with the effort. i finished 10th overall out of more than 4,500 runners and 3rd in my age group. I was happy with my run, plus I set a new P.R. of 22:21 (Old P.R. 22:48 set in September 2009). It was a great race, despite the weather.

Saturday, May 8th - Day off

I'm exhausted today, just too much going on. This is my down week, so I decided to enjoy some time off, plus I have a race tomorrow.......so, day off for me!

Friday, May 7th - 4:00 a.m.

Still not quite getting the sleep I need, we are preparing for Gabriel's birthday Sunday. Managed 7 miles this morning, although I felt like I was dragging my legs. Tired, tired, tired.......

Thursday, May 6th - 4:00 p.m.

Ash and I jogged slowly down to NikeTown to pick up our racing packets for the race Sunday. we totaled about 3 miles, and sucked in about 10 pounds of pollen!!!

Thursday, May 6th - 4:00 a.m.

Still getting used to the earlier time. Plus, last night G had trouble sleeping, so he came into our bed for a few hours. Not much sleep, so only tackled 6, and it was slow............

Wednesday, May 5th - 4:00 a.m.

Notice the new start time. I have to start at 4 now to get my run done. My runs are getting longer and longer and i was scrambling to fit in the runs. I was able to run 10 miles easy this morning, take the dogs out, shower, eat breakfast, update Facebook and Twitter, and get a 35 minute nap in all before Gabriel got up at 6:45. What a day!!! I love my life!!!

Tuesday, May 4th - 4:30 a.m.

Super sleepy......must catch up on sleep. Got a slow 8, glad this is a down week.

Monday, May 3rd - 4:30 a.m.

Called on account of Lightening....I love to run in the rain, but lightening and thunder is not worth the risk, after narrowly missing the storm that ravaged Central Park last year (I was walking the dogs when the winds began to howl and blow very cold. I decided to cut it short and go in. 20 minutes later, the storm uprooted hundreds of massive oaks right where i walk the dogs). I turned around the 1 mile mark. So, a measly 2 miles, but its a down week, so its OK.

Week in Review - 72 miles

What a great week!! I managed 72 miles with a long run of 18 miles. I'm still building my base, steadily increasing my weekly mileage. I'll soon be in the 80's and 90's and hope to still be feeling good!

Sunday, May 2nd - 5:00 p.m.

This morning, i was so tired, i got to run and fell asleep on the couch as i waited for the weather forecast. So, later on, Ash and Gabriel and I hit the park. I ran 4 miles with them, then 6 on my own. I passed the 70 mile barrier for the first time in years. The future is looking great!!

Saturday, May 1rst - 4:30 a.m.

This morning I tackled an 18 mile long run. I finished in just a hair under 2 hours. That puts me at a 6:47 pace for the run, which is great. My legs felt good, my breathing was fine, I could have used some water. Did the typical 1 water stop the whole run. Getting ridiculous. I finished the last 10 miles in 3 minutes faster than I did last week.